- by Chris Charlton

Each Labour Day, we celebrate the things we enjoy as a result of the collective action of Canadian workers: pensions, weekends,
parental leave, 8 hour work days, paid holidays, and the list goes on.

But this year, I want to single out just one. I want to say a huge THANK YOU to all Canadian unions for their leadership in keeping us safe.

Health and safety is an essential part of every union’s work. Each one provides its members with the training, tools and resources to ensure their members stay healthy and safe. And what this pandemic has made clear is that all Canadians rely on that work to keep us safe as well.

By keeping essential workers and their workplaces safe, unions have made it possible for the rest of us to continue grocery shopping, take public transit, keep our lights on, get the health care we need, access essential repairs, and continue our children’s education. While this has always been the case, never has it been more obvious than in the times of COVID-19. We all owe unions, in every sector, a huge debt of gratitude.

May COVID-19’s legacy be a new sense of solidarity and unconditional union support.

Thank you, Brothers and Sisters. Happy Labour Day!

image credit: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives